Congressman Paul A. Gosar has raised concerns regarding the ongoing Dragon Bravo Wildfire at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, which has burned nearly 9,000 acres and destroyed over 70 structures, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.
As both the dean of Arizona’s congressional delegation and Chair of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Gosar emphasized his duty to investigate policy and resource management decisions that allowed the wildfire to spread uncontrollably.
Gosar sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum seeking collaboration to identify policies that may have exacerbated the fire’s spread and actions needed for better resource management. He posed several questions about federal agency involvement, decision-making on controlled burns, economic impacts from closures, prior hazard mitigation efforts, new techniques like logging on park lands, atmospheric monitoring responsibilities, and risks identified at the North Rim Water Treatment Facility.
“I cannot be silent as the wildfire continues to burn uncontrolled,” stated Congressman Gosar. “I have an obligation to conduct congressional oversight and obtain answers for all Arizonans including the brave firefighters risking their lives to control this inferno.”
The full text of Congressman Gosar’s letter is available online.
